Jason Walker joined the staff on March 20 as the defensive coordinator and quickly filled the need at head coach.

Former BYU graduate assistant coach Jason Walker has been promoted to head coach of the Southern Virginia University football team, according to a press release by SVU.

The announcement came shortly after coach Tyler Hughes left SVU to accept the head coaching position at Minot State University, a Division II school. Walker joined the staff on March 20 as the defensive coordinator, and quickly filled the need at head coach.

"We are thrilled to have Coach Walker leading our football program," said SVU President Paul K. Sybrowsky in a press release. "During his time here, Jason has proven himself a great defensive mind and an exceptional leader. He is committed to the university and our goal to build an elite NCAA Division III football program dedicated to high academic standards and our LDS values."

Walker spent the last four seasons at BYU as a defensive graduate assistant under Bronco Mendenhall. Mendenhall was complimentary of Walker.

"Jason Walker is a diligent worker, a quick study and passionate about football and building young men," Mendenhall said in a press release. "I believe this is a great choice by Southern Virginia as it seeks to expand and improve its reputation through football."

Walker played two seasons of football at Snow College before finishing up his career at Utah State. He is currently working on a master’s degree in public administration.

Trent is a journalism student at BYU and an intern at DeseretNews.com. He is currently a junior and anticipates graduating Dec. 2014. He covered the BYU men's volleyball team on its 2013 title game run and is an aspiring more ..